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First lady bucks GOP on lunch

First ladies typically avoid getting into public scraps, but Michelle Obama has jumped into perhaps her biggest battle yet.

She's fighting a House Republican effort to soften a central part of her prized anti-childhood obesity campaign and says she's ready "to fight until the bitter end."

Mrs. Obama even mocked the GOP effort in an opinion column and argued her case on Twitter.

"Remember a few years ago when Congress declared that the sauce on a slice of pizza should count as a vegetable in school lunches?" she wrote in The New York Times. "You don't have to be a nutritionist to know that this doesn't make much sense. Yet we're seeing the same thing happening again with these new efforts to lower nutrition standards in our schools."

Mrs. Obama lobbied largely behind the scenes four years ago for the Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010, which requires more fruit, vegetables and whole grains in school meals, along with less sodium, sugar and fat. It was a major achievement, the first update to school lunch rules in decades designed to make school meals more nutritious.

The School Nutrition Association, an industry-backed group that represents school cafeteria workers and originally supported the standards, has now turned against them. The association says it fully supports getting kids to eat healthie, but says many districts are losing money because students aren't buying the healthier lunches.

More than 1 million fewer students eat lunch at school each day since the first round of standards went into effect in 2012, following decades of steadily increasing participation, said Diane Pratt-Heavner, a spokeswoman for the association, citing federal data. A second round of rules, including standards for school breakfasts, took effect July 1.

"How can we call these standards a success when they are driving students away from the program?" she said.

Her group wants more flexibility for districts that are losing money. A House bill to fund the Agriculture Department next year would give districts a chance to apply to skip the requirements for one year.

Rep. Robert Aderholt of Alabama, the Republican author of that measure, said the lunch rules go too far and came too fast for school districts to handle.

"As well-intended as the people in Washington believe themselves to be, the reality is that from a practical standpoint these regulations are just plain not working out in some individual school districts," he said after a House panel approved the bill. A vote by the full House is expected after its July Fourth break.

The first lady and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, whose department runs the school meals program, oppose changing the law.

Critics of the association say the about-face is motivated not only by overburdened school officials but also by the food industry. Food companies are some of the association's highest-paying members and supply schools with most of their food. The industry largely has kept silent through the debate but will spend millions of dollars to reformulate many products to meet the new standards.

"The last thing that we can afford to do right now is play politics with our kids' health, especially when we're finally starting to see some progress on this issue," Mrs. Obama said at the White House, where she met with a group of school nutrition experts, all of whom were friendly toward the standards.

The association requested a meeting with Mrs. Obama and Vilsack. Instead it was invited to sit down next week with Vilsack and Sam Kass, a White House chef who is executive director of the first lady's anti-obesity initiative, along with representatives from a dozen other organizations that favor the standards.

The first lady's publicly aggressive approach against Congress and the school nutrition association stands in stark contrast to the quiet lobbying she did early on, and to her handling of earlier controversies. Her approach has been to bite her tongue and not comment in the heat of the moment.

"She very, very strongly believes in the anti-obesity initiative, and I think she sees the attempt by Congress to roll back the 2010 legislation as just being anathema after trying very hard to change the culture of what we see going into these institutional lunches," said Myra Gutin, who studies first ladies at Rider University.

Mrs. Obama says the requirements are based on sound science and that 90 percent of schools are meeting them. The association says districts are unprepared to meet the newest standards.

"I'm going to fight until the bitter end to make sure that every kid in this country continues to have the best nutrition that they can have in our schools," the first lady said at a White House event where she showcased elementary school students preparing and then eating a salad lunch using vegetables they had planted in her garden on the South Lawn.

The White House has threatened to veto the House bill. The Senate version does not include the one-year waiver.

Comments

Donegan

Sun, 07/06/2014 - 9:44pm

Because they care about the children... Just like her husband waived the law that banned support to regimes that use child soldiers. http://washingtonexaminer.com/ob...
Remember its for the children....

sugar

Sun, 07/06/2014 - 9:54pm

It's not about caring it's about control. Someone tell this nosy woman to go to the illegal immigrant camps to save the children there.

coasterfan

Sun, 07/06/2014 - 10:58pm

Nah....Michelle is no different from any other First Lady. They all have a pet project to help Americans in some way. Only a true cynic would think that it is about control. What on earth gave you that crazy idea?

The Hero Zone

Mon, 07/07/2014 - 1:23am

Withholding funds from local schools for not obeying Federal "suggestions" seems pretty controlling. If only it were contained to just that, though. There is a lot that shouldn't be done on that level that is and always the carrot dangled in front of local and state agencies is a piece of the seemingly-unlimited money we can conjure on the Federal level. The intention isn't about control, yet the actions point to that being the case. Which are we to believe? Sentiment or result?

Contango

Mon, 07/07/2014 - 8:33am

Re: "What on earth gave you that crazy idea?"

The "crazy" control freak FLOTUS:

"Help lift us up, help us fight this fight to change, - transform - this country in a fundamental way."

Justwow

Sun, 07/06/2014 - 10:43pm

LOL Michelle O towel head......

jazzbo

Mon, 07/07/2014 - 12:54am

.

The Answer Person

Mon, 07/07/2014 - 8:47am

Laugh all you want loser.
THEY are in the White House.
NO ONE in YOUR family will ever be!
Who's laughing now?

Contango

Mon, 07/07/2014 - 8:52am

Yes, the Incompetent-in-Chief reassured us and himself of that 'fact':

As a school drop out that's something that you're an expert in, right pippy?

There you go again

Mon, 07/07/2014 - 5:26am

"First Lady F$&@s GOP on school lunch rules".

Maggdi

Mon, 07/07/2014 - 6:26am

Is there really a second article in as many days about the sainted Michelle Obama having the courage to take on the evil GOP on a subject that is better left to local school districts? Some who have forgone federal funds because so much food was being wasted because the children wouldn't eat it.

The Answer Person

Mon, 07/07/2014 - 8:48am

So you like 300 pound little girls?

Contango

Mon, 07/07/2014 - 8:55am

Re: "So you like 300 pound little girls?"

A nonsensical straw man argument.

So public school lunches are causing children to become obese? They never eat outside the school?

ladydye_5

Mon, 07/07/2014 - 12:41pm

Eating ONE meal a day in school is the only cause of obesity? Has nothing to do with the other meals, snacks and food kids eat the other 17 hours out of the day???? The walk to school or the walk home? The stop at the local 7/11 to get chips and a Monster? If you think eating this "healthy" lunch at school will cure the obesity problem in America you are in for a rude awakening. Maybe she should look at reinstating Gym class and recess too. She could also put some restrictions on the Food Stamps. Only be allowed fruits, veggies and whole grains, just like the school lunches.

dontknowmuch

Mon, 07/07/2014 - 1:52pm

School lunches aren't the root of obesity

FalconBall

Mon, 07/07/2014 - 4:19pm

That's the key. The lunch lady has limited dumpster space for those fresh fruits and vegetables. It's tough to feed the over-fed. Kids cry because their peaches have a red part to them (most have never seen a fresh peach). Kids complain because their potato is baked and not French fried. If kids were hungry they would eat carrot sticks, cucumber slices and fresh fruit but they can always wait to get home for a trip to fast food or a box of Little Deb's.

coasterfan

Mon, 07/07/2014 - 1:11pm

I think the point is this: we know that many kids have poor eating habits all day long, and we know that many parents don't parent their children. We also know that we can't control what they put in their mouth at home (Republicans would cry "Big Brother"). We also know that throwing up our hands and doing NOTHING to address the issue may be the GOP way, but it's not going to solve anything.

What we CAN do is make more healthy choices in the offerings we provide in public schools. Michelle is merely advocating smart, healthy eating in a forum where we CAN exert some influence.

This is such a small issue - and a very positive-minded one - it boggles the mind that some people are so vehement in their disapproval. If Laura Bush had made the same recommendation, they, of course, would give their tacit approval. So, their comments say a lot more about them than they do to paint an accurate picture of Michelle.

She is on the same side as schools and medical experts. If the GOP chooses to play the role of "bad guy" and oppose the common sense initiatives she is advocating, that is their choice.

Corollary: Trillions of dollars spent on enforcement and decades worth of education have garnered almost zero effect on U.S. drug usage.

Think outside the Marxist box.

The Answer Person

Mon, 07/07/2014 - 5:26pm

You are terminally boring...but you are a Republican after all.

dontknowmuch

Mon, 07/07/2014 - 1:55pm

Common sense would tell her to address the sugary, fattening chit that can be obtained through a SNAP card. There's the root of the problem, but that would send the voting block into a tizzy if they were told to buy healthier things with a SNAP. Nitpicking schools is easier to do.

deertracker

Mon, 07/07/2014 - 3:19pm

You can't control which foods a person buys just because they receive assistance. Some kids' main meal is the one the school provides. That is why she targets those meals. You just want to go after the poor in a not so subtle way.

It's really simple. If you have a problem with school lunches, pack your kid's lunch. Problem solved!

Contango

Mon, 07/07/2014 - 3:29pm

Re: "Some kids' (sic) main meal is the one the school provides."

So children are becoming obese by eating one solitary meal per day and nothing on the weekends?

Are you gullible or what, pippy? lol

deertracker

Mon, 07/07/2014 - 3:37pm

The main point of the proposal is to offer healthier school lunches. No one said obesity is caused by school lunches. Stay on point. Your constant deflection of the topic at hand proves you have no real argument. It only makes you look unintelligent and partisan.

The FLOTUS thinks that parents are incompetent now by not providing them with healthy food and now you want them to take the initiative to pack a lunch?

H*ll, mom's probably busy out scoring drugs or turning tricks.

Are you gullible or what, pippy? lol

The Big Dog's back

Mon, 07/07/2014 - 3:35pm

I wouldn't trust you to pack a kid's lunch pooh. It would contain Kesslers and beer.

Contango

Mon, 07/07/2014 - 3:41pm

Re: "I wouldn't trust you to pack a kid's lunch,"

lol

So you ended up with a pacemaker by pigging out and smoking? Great example, fatso.

Maybe YOU should have listened to the FLOTUS.

deertracker

Mon, 07/07/2014 - 3:42pm

Is that what your mom was doing instead of packing pooh's lunch? I don't know that she thinks parents are incompetent but you have to start somewhere to upgrade the health of Americans.

Are you a john pooh? You seem to know about hookers.

Contango

Mon, 07/07/2014 - 3:56pm

Re: "you have to start somewhere to upgrade the health of Americans."

Only a half-brained nimrod would think that this lefty looney, big govt. approach is it, nitwit.

deertracker

Mon, 07/07/2014 - 3:57pm

What's your solution pooh? Kessler's for all?

Contango

Mon, 07/07/2014 - 4:14pm

Re: "What's your solution,"

And what's your idiotic solution to failing govt. pippy, but more and bigger govt.?

deertracker

Mon, 07/07/2014 - 4:21pm

My solution is for schools to offer healthier meals. My solution for you is AA.

Contango

Mon, 07/07/2014 - 4:26pm

Re: "My solution is for schools to offer healthier meals."

Who decides, FLOTUS and big govt. pukie?

And how do you know that they don't; because FLOTUS says so? lol

Get your GED, dropout.

deertracker

Mon, 07/07/2014 - 4:29pm

How do you know that they do? Try AA pooh. It might work, even for you!

Contango

Mon, 07/07/2014 - 4:34pm

Re: "How do you know that they do?"

You CAN understand the point of the article can't you, dimwit?

Maggdi

Mon, 07/07/2014 - 6:44pm

Ahh but my friend, then children bring items that are already frown upon..... now what?

Maggdi

Mon, 07/07/2014 - 7:38pm

weird

OMG.LOL.WT_

Mon, 07/07/2014 - 2:54pm

I feel so disadvantaged 'cause I didn't get free food when I went to school.

deertracker

Mon, 07/07/2014 - 3:21pm

Free lunches have been available for decades.

Contango

Mon, 07/07/2014 - 3:36pm

Re: "Free lunches,"

Econ 101:

TANSTAAFL - there ain't no such thing as a free lunch.

One person's subsidy is another person's tax, pippy.

deertracker

Mon, 07/07/2014 - 3:43pm

It's free to the kids pooh. Get it?

Contango

Mon, 07/07/2014 - 3:53pm

Re: "It's free to the kids."

Not so, since the debt of all these FREE fed programs is being passed onto them, pippy.

deertracker

Mon, 07/07/2014 - 3:56pm

Who paid for your free lunches pooh?

Contango

Mon, 07/07/2014 - 4:15pm

Re: "free lunches,"

We were required to work in the cafeteria.

Who paid for yours, pipsqueak?

At what grade did you drop out?

deertracker

Mon, 07/07/2014 - 4:23pm

So you were a lunch boy? Did you work for your so called college education too?

Contango

Mon, 07/07/2014 - 4:29pm

Deflection.

Again: Who paid for yours?

You did get 'some' formal education before you dropped out didn't you?

Maggdi

Mon, 07/07/2014 - 6:50pm

I always thought that school lunches were free to those how couldn't afford to feed their children lunches?

Darwin's choice

Mon, 07/07/2014 - 3:36pm

For all you obamabots.....

In the previous four days, there has been 82 shootings and 14 killed in that obama mecca of chicago!
You know, where the gun laws are as strict as anywhere in the country!
Maybe her highness should be pleading with all the hood-rats to be more compassionate. She would probably have better results that the current try at being a nutritionist.....!

obama/failed

deertracker

Mon, 07/07/2014 - 3:44pm

How many hood rats got shot?

Contango

Mon, 07/07/2014 - 3:51pm

Re: "How many hood rats got shot?"

Lots of innocent people and children get shot and killed too, you insensitive, racist turd.

School lunches can certainly cause obesity. Kids can eat an entire day's worth of calories in one school lunch if they buy extras. Schools that sell cookies and ice cream along with lunches of chicken nuggets and fries, pizza, etc certainly are contributing to the childhood obesity problem. Even kids that pack their lunches buy the junk food the schools sell (because now schools use cards instead of cash, so kids can buy this at any time without a parent even knowing until after the fact). And don't start with it being the kids' responsibility. They are kids, not adults, which is why they need adults to look after them and care for them.
There is no reason why schools shouldn't be serving fresh, delicious, nutritious food. And this crap about kids not eating it is just an excuse. No, not all kids are going to eat everything served. Offer them nutritious choices, give them some time to acclimate to healthy eating, and they will eat most of it.
Of course it is going to cost more. Fresh and healthy food is more expensive than processed, frozen junk that only has to be heated.
If kids want junk, they should have to bring it from home--schools should not be providing it on a daily basis.